Captain Patrick Jacobs, who serves as chief detective, earned the Advanced Deputy Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission on September 9.
Sergeant Wallace Ransom earned the Advanced Service Award for having more than 21 years of law enforcement service in the state of North Carolina.
Ransom was also awarded the Advanced Deputy Professional Law Enforcement Certificate on the same day, which is represents law enforcement experience and achievements in professional law enforcement training.
“These Advanced Certificates have placed Captain Jacobs and Sergeant Ransom among the elite of law enforcement officers within the state of North Carolina,” Sheriff Jack Smith said.
The certificate awarded to Jacobs also reflects his law enforcement experience and achievements in college education and professional law enforcement training.
Jacobs also completed his Bachelor of Science degree on April 28 in the field of Organizational Leadership at Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, and also recently completed the criminal investigator program at Wilson Community College by completing a total of 445 hours of law enforcement criminal investigation training.He was awarded the Criminal Investigator Specialist Certificate on September 2.
“It's an honor to receive these awards that I have worked so hard to achieve,” Jacobs said. “Many times it has not been easy but I pushed through because I knew my future goals were and still are to succeed in life.”
No success is easy, he said. “And the best way to achieve goals in life is to work hard mentally and physically. Once you have achieved any type of education no one can take it away from you.”
Jacobs said his goal is to be among the elite, be a role model, and an example to all — children growing up in schools and citizens in the community.
He hopes it will motivate young officers and deputies to succeed and get their education. “Education and training is a way for me to give back to my community through my job at the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and provide for my family,” he said.
Jacobs is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. “I plan to continue attending and achieving all training available to me so that I can continue to grow, and display dedication and hard work for the citizens of this county. The world is constantly changing every day and it's up to each individual person to make a positive change.”
For Ransom, “It’s an honor to receive these awards. I’ve served Northampton County for more than 21 years and will continue serving with dedication and hard work for the citizens of this county.”
Smith said training is more critical and essential today than at any other time in history due to technology changing daily. “Law enforcement has to change with technology or we will be left behind. I am so proud of Captain Jacobs and Sergeant Ransom on their achievements and awards they have received. All members of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office will be attending various training in the coming years which will enable us to better serve and protect the citizens of this county.”